The director-general, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr. Ajayi Femi, has appealed to the Federal Government to assist the agency to enable it to fight war against drug trafficking in the country.?
Femi, who stated this recently when he led top management team on an advocacy visit to Benin City , Edo State, said a special financial intervention was needed for the agency because of its peculiar condition.?
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According to him, “While other organisations get rewarded for hard work, your reward for diligence in NDLEA is more work. This so because when you arrest drug criminals, you must take care of the suspects. Therefore, the more suspects you arrest, the more responsibility you will have in feeding, taking care as well as prosecuting the suspects. No doubt a special financial intervention is required by the NDLEA.”?
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He lamented the poor working conditions in the agency, but urged counter-narcotic operatives to sustain the momentum of the drug war that led to the removal of the country from the Drug Major’s List by the United States government last year.?
“We are committed to the welfare of officers because this is a very risky assignment. The reward for drug control must be now and adequate. More resources must be provided for the Agency. The N84.5 million capital budget for 2011 is a far cry from what is required. This is why we are here to meet with you and request your partnership. On our part, we shall continue to be dedicated to the fight against drug trafficking cartels,” Femi pledged.?
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According to him, the welfare of officers should be considered by the government due to the hazardous condition under which they operate.?
“It will be counter-productive if we endanger the lives of our officers in a bid to ensure peace and security. The safety of officers is crucial and their welfare is non-negotiable. The officers need bullet proof vests and vehicles, and the best training to be ahead of drug trafficking cartels. This is beyond lip service because drug control promotes national security.”?
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